Wine Grower

Wine Grower (2151)

Children categories

The Air New Zealand Wine Awards are now over, the best wines acknowledged and the medals and trophies handed out. As Chair of Judges, Michael Brajkovich MW, acknowledges in his report, the quality across a wide range of varietals was a highlight.

30 vintages creates an icon

Back in 1985, a young Kevin Judd issued winemaking instructions for the first Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc over the phone. The wine, made from Marlborough fruit was produced in Gisborne, Kevin was based in Auckland. How things have changed.

Rippon: A coming of age

Sitting down to talk with Nick Mills, you could empathise with him if his eyes glazed over at the thought of sharing his family history for the umpteenth time...but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

6 Nations wine competition

This competition began 12 years ago, although it was then called the “Tri-Nations Wine Competition” with wines from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Chile and Argentina were added to the list a few years ago with the US joining last year.

Cracking the Chinese wine market

China still remains an important market for New Zealand

The Chinese wine industry has been in the spotlight over the last 12 months with talk of plummeting sales amid President Xi Jinping’s anti-graft crackdown. But China still remains an important market for New Zealand wine producers.

Importing new varieties

The ability for private growers to import new grape varieties into New Zealand has opened up in recent years, with the expansion of quarantine facilities operated by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Creating a NZ Prosecco

Vines are due to be released from quarantine

Prosecco is one of the fastest growing wine styles in the world and in many markets this sparkling variety is challenging Champagne. In the next few years, thanks to one woman, New Zealand could be producing its own unique Prosecco.

New Zealand Winegrower Personality of the Year

Viticulture consultant, Dominic Pecchenino

When Philip Gregan and myself sat down to discuss who or what should be the recipient of this year’s New Zealand Winegrower Personality of the Year, he was quick to point out the back story behind vintage 2014 – mechanical thinning.

What you can do for New Zealand wine?

Hard to believe it isn’t it, but Vintage 2015 is only a matter of four or so months away. We are all only just starting to sell the very early wines from the current vintage and the next one is just around the corner!